2020 News

Jamaica Continues to Welcome Visitors; Extends Phase 1 of Reopening Through July

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – July 17, 2020 – Jamaica has announced revised measures for international travelers visiting the island as of July 15. All visitors will still be required to complete an online Travel Authorization. Travelers from Arizona, Florida, New York, and Texas (areas declared by the Ministry of Health and Wellness as high risk at this time), will be required to upload negative COVID-19 PCR test results. Tests should be no more than ten (10) days old measured from the day the sample was taken to the day of arrival in Jamaica.

These results, provided by a CAP-accredited lab, are required for travelers from high-risk locations to receive the Travel Authorization certification, and must also be presented upon arrival in Jamaica. All visitors will still be screened upon arrival in Jamaica via thermal temperature checks, symptom observation and a brief interview with a Health Officer.

Leisure travelers from areas not currently designated as high risk may be subject to swab testing based on symptoms or responses to the risk assessment. Those with negative results – as well as those who do not require testing – must adhere to the Stay in Zone order, which requires persons to remain at their hotel or resort within the Resilient Corridor for the duration of their stay. Those who are screened and assessed and show symptoms upon arrival will be subject to swab testing and must quarantine in their hotel room until test results are available.

“Health and safety are paramount as we reopen our tourist industry on a phased basis,” said Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “Risk assessment is an important part of preventing further spread of COVID-19 and ensuring that our visitors and residents stay safe. We have developed and are implementing procedures throughout the visitor journey that ensure a seamless process, so they are able to enjoy what our island and its people have to offer.”

Visitors staying outside the Resilient Corridor, who are deemed to be high risk, will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test once they arrive in Jamaica and will be under quarantine orders until test results are returned. Positive cases will be isolated in home or state facilities depending on an assessment by the health authorities. Visitors who are low risk will not be required to be tested but will be under the stay-at-home measure for 14 days. All Business travelers will receive a swab test at the airport and must remain in quarantine until results are available.

Travelers from high-risk areas must complete the Travel Authorization between two and five days prior to their planned arrival in Jamaica. The online authorization includes the immigration form, thereby streamlining the entry process. Approved travelers will receive a travel certificate, which must be presented (printed or electronic) during the airline check-in process. Travelers from high-risk areas will receive their travel certification or denial 48 hours after submitting their questionnaire. All other travelers may complete the form any time within the five days prior to planned arrival and will receive immediate approval or denial through a scoring algorithm.

The current process will be in effect through July 31. Jamaica’s health and safety measures are revisited every two weeks, which is consistent with the government’s approach of evaluating the COVID-19 global situation. As more is discovered about the virus including medical advancements or as the risk profile changes, Jamaica will make any necessary and appropriate revision to the protocols.

For more information on the Travel Authorization, visit www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization. For more information on Jamaica’s Health and Safety Protocols, visit www.jtbonline.org.

Dominica Reopens Borders July 15

Roseau, Dominica – (July 17, 2020) Dominica reopened its borders on July 15, 2020 following successful restrictions to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Dr. Irving McIntyre, first made the announcement at a press conference on July 1, 2020, and the Prime Minister, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, confirmed the dates and elaborated further on the intended protocols in subsequent radio and television programs.

The reopening of borders will be done in a phased manner, with nationals and residents allowed to return home beginning July 15, 2020 in phase one. All travelers including non-nationals can travel to The Nature Island beginning August 7, 2020 as part of phase 2 of the reopening of borders.

Health and safety guidelines and protocols have been carefully deliberated and formally announced to minimize the risk of new cases of COVID-19 once the borders are reopened.

These protocols are to be followed:

Protocols for Pre-Arrival
Compulsory requirements for all arriving passengers/travellers
All travellers must:
1. Submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival
2. Show notification of clearance to travel.
3. Submit a negative PCR test result recorded within 24-72 hours prior to arrival
General protocols and guidelines upon arrival
Travellers must:
1. Wear face masks at all times during the arrival process up to and including departure from the airport
2. Observe physical distancing guidelines
3. Practice good respiratory and personal sanitization
4. Follow all instructions of health care staff and officials
Disembarkation and Testing:
Travellers must:
1. Sanitize their hands at sanitization stations as directed
2. Undergo a health assessment to include a temperature check
3. Provide confirmation of the health questionnaire and negative PCR test results
4. Undergo rapid test screening and with a negative test result, they will be conveyed to immigration for processing and to customs for screening. Luggage will be sanitized when taken off conveyor belt
Those travellers who report a high temperature, high risk alert from their health questionnaire or Positive Rapid Test will:
1. Proceed to secondary screening area
2. Be given a PCR test
3. Be transported to mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility or government certified hotel at their expense awaiting results
4. If the PCR test result is positive, the traveller will be admitted to the COVID isolation Unit.

Departure From Dominica
Vehicles will be permitted to enter the air and seaport with only the driver and travellers.
Travellers must:
1. Wear face masks at all times during the departure process until departure from airport.
2. Observe physical distancing.
3. Practice good respiratory and personal sanitization
4. Follow instructions of health care staff and officials

While restrictions to curtail the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted in Dominica, the health and safety protocols for respiratory etiquette, wearing of face masks, proper and frequent hand washing, sanitizing and physical distancing will still apply.